OUSTING John Grant is unlikely to improve NRL clubs’ situation despite being their “only option” in the fight for the game’s disputed funding, Phil Gould says.

Negotiations between Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Grant and the clubs are at a standstill with no resolution in sight after being postponed indefinitely this week.

The Penrith general manager has rejected Grant’s claims the push to remove him is personal.

Rather, Gould said, it is a last resort to compel the ARLC against reneging on a 12-month-old agreement for extra funding.

“At the moment, the action against John Grant is the only action available to the clubs, so they’ve taken it to make a stand and make a statement,” Gould told EON Sports Radio on Friday.

“That is their only option.

“It’s not personal against John. It’s just that where the constitution is at the moment and where the rights of the clubs can be most expressed is, I guess, to de-vote and remove the chairman.” Clubs will vote on Grant’s job at an emergency general meeting on December 20 after he refused to step down.

They require a minimum 14 votes from the game’s 26 shareholders — the 16 clubs, the NSWRL, the QRL and the eight commissioners — to remove Grant. Fourteen clubs, excluding the NRL-owned Gold Coast and Newcastle, signed a letter to the ARLC backing the emergency meeting.

“I’m not sure (getting rid of Grant) solves the problem,” Gould said. “Once John is removed, the clubs have no power under the constitution to appoint his replacement.

“If the money’s not there, the money’s not there.

“So I guess John is paying the penalty for whatever has led to this particular situation.”

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